25 minutes

Those owners who leave their dogs in hot vehicles often leave the glass open a slither - perhaps telling themselves this provides ventilation and makes it ok.

But as James said in our video it made a "minimal difference".

We could totally understand why dogs are often seen craning their necks towards the crack in the window. There's some relief from the fresher air.

The startling thing, however, was that the window being open a little did not bring the temperature down inside the car.

If it did, it was barely noticeable.

Our thermometer was even further off the scale, most likely pushing 40C.

30 minutes

This is when we decided not to push it any further.

The heat and level of sweating was such that it was hard to tell how much more we could take. Risking more time without water and fresh air felt foolhardy.

This was the point when I described the feeling as "sickly and suffocating".

Dehydration for a human, let alone a dog at this point, was a danger.

The aftermath

Stepping out of the car was a relief but I immediately felt disgustingly drenched.

Only in the open air was it noticeable just how wet we were from sweat.

It felt like wearing wet laundry, or clothes we'd just waded through a river in.

The material of my clothes stuck to me all over.

James once again described the feeling as "revolting".

I concluded by saying: "You can really see why the RSPCA is ramming this message home. Don't leave your dog in the car, even if it's just for a few minutes, because a few minutes is just too long.

"It could end up killing your pet."

7 tips for keeping your dog cool from Pets at Home

Look after your dog’s paws – It’s always best for your dog to avoid walking on hot asphalt or concrete, or on hot sand if you’re at the beach.

Keep them comfortable at home – Whether in the garden or in an overheated conservatory, make sure your dog isn’t exposed to conditions where they can’t keep cool.

Know your dog’s coat type – Dogs with naturally thin hair can get sunburnt, and white dogs with fair hair and pink skin under their fur can too. Areas with little or no fur such as the ears, belly and nose, are more susceptible to burning.

Understand the brachy breed – Brachycephalic or ‘brachy’ dogs suffer from what’s known as brachycephalic airway syndrome, or BAS for short. The condition is found in breeds with short noses such as pugs, bulldogs, shih tzus and boxers. Due to their facial structure, brachy dogs do not breathe and pant efficiently and since panting is the primary way that dogs cool themselves down, this places them at an extreme risk for developing heatstroke or heat exhaustion over the summer period.

Pick cooler periods of the day for walks – On hot days, walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day, early morning and late evening. This will help minimise the length of time your pet is exposed to the sun, reducing the chance of them overheating.

Notice the signs – Watch your pet for signs of overheating, including heavy panting, excessive thirst or drooling, glazed eyes and loss of energy are all clues your dog is too warm.

Never leave them in the car - Many people still believe that it’s ok to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if the windows are left open or they’re parked in the shade, but the truth is, it’s still a very dangerous situation for the dog. A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm.

Email liam.trim@reachplc.com if you've seen something similar or have another local story to share.

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